The prevalence of depression among elderly patients attending primary care clinics in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Identifying factors associated with depression among elderly population is important in order to improve their quality of life. A cross sectional study was conducted among elderly in three primary care clinics, Kuantan, Pahang in assessing the depression and its associated factors. The respondents were selected through convenient sampling and interviewed by using reconstruct standardized questionnaire which includes social-demographic background, medical illness, ability to perform basic activities of daily living (ADL), cognitive function and depression assessment. Out of 600 elderly that attended the clinics from 1st December 2006 to 31st January 2007, 182 (30.3%) respondents agreed to enroll in the study. The respondents comprised of Malay (93.4%), females (54.4%) and married (71.4%) elderly. Most of them were living with their family (92.3%), received formal education background (64.8%), had no past history of hospital admission (81.3%) and median income per capita of RM250 per month. Most respondents (90.7%) suffered from chronic illness, 19.8% were functional dependent (according to Barthel index), 15.4% had cognitive impairment (according ECAQ) and 17.0% had depression (according to GDS-14). The study revealed that depression were found significantly difference with increasing age, marital status, occupation, living arrangements, history of hospital admission and presence of cognitive impairment. These findings highlighted that high prevalence of elderly attended the primary care clinics have a depression that require greater in health intervention by healthcare professionals

Social and HIV/AIDS risk behaviours in a fishing community

Background: This study was to explore the pattern and depth of social and health risk problems that may address the social drivers of HIV/AIDS in a fishing community in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: Five focus group discussions were held among selected villagers to gain their experiences and perception on social problems and HIV/AIDS risk behaviours in their community. Results: Many participants discussed on early involvement in substance use disorders and high risk sexual behaviours. Participants were frustrated with the poor parental supervision and lack of social support in the community which exposed them to social problems and subsequently to risk of HIV/AIDS infections. Conclusion: Poor parental supervision and lack of social support from the community are factors need to be considered when designing structural intervention programme. Further research needs to be done among more specific target groups in villages like youths, parents and school children, in order to identify the causal chains of deeper structure of HIV/AIDS risk for proximal and distal risk factors intervention

Composition and source determination of heavy metals (HM) in particles in selected primary schools in Pahang / Maryam Zahaba... [et al.]

Composition and concentrations of air pollutants in particles have been shown to have a correlation with differences in mortality counts in different parts of the world. These particles are also able to deteriorate health especially the respiratory system and may lead to mortality. Toxic metals in these particles are associated with respiratory diseases and lung cancer in school children. The effects of HM toxicity are more severe to the schoolchildren as their immune system is not fully developed yet. Thus, this study aims to analyse the HM composition in particles collected inside the classroom during the school days (occupied) and the weekends (vacant), and to determine pattern of HM concentration from particles based on different location backgrounds (residential, industrial and rural). In order to achieve these objectives, the following samplings were done. The particles were simultaneously collected using GilAir-5 air pump sampler (Sensidyne, USA) inside and outside the classrooms. The sampling was done for a minimum of 8 hours. The exposed Mixed Cellulose Ester (MCE) membrane filters (0.8 µm, 37 mm) were digested following the International Standard Test Method (ASTM) for Determination of Elements in Airborne Particulate Matter by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The compositions of metals in particles were determined using ICP-MS NexION™ 300× (PerkinElmer, USA). From the result obtained, concentrations of Al, Zn and Pb inside the classrooms were higher compared to the other elements like Cr, Mg, Cd and Cu. Meanwhile, HM concentration detected in the industrial site was higher compared to the residential and rural sites

A preliminary study for developing operator manual for ruminant abattoirs on prevention of foodborne diseases and halal compliance

Introduction: Foodborne diseases (FBD) can occur along the whole series of food production from the sources and processing until serving for consumers. Among the sources of food, meat is a major concern since it is come from animal origin where the pathogens might transmit to human and/or contaminate microbes from infected meat handlers to consumers at any time. Background Study: Abattoir operators – managers and workers, and the authorities – Veterinary and Halal officers, play the key role in conversion of live food animals to healthy and edible halal meat and useful animal products fit for human consumption. Abattoir operators, abattoir operating procedures including animal handling and meat process need to abide the standard operating procedures (SOP) as guided by the authority for the safety of meat in meeting the requirements for public health. It is also to be in lines with the halal rules and regulations from the perspective of Islam so that to achieve halal food and products which are beneficial for both physical and spiritual. Problem Statement: A number of researches have conducted in the prevalence of FBD but lack of prevention with combination of halal-compliance especially in ruminant abattoir areas. Objective: The researcher aims to do preliminary study for developing the required Operator Manual of Ruminant Abattoirs (OMRA) on prevention of FBD and also for halal compliance. Method: This preliminary study will be looking into the process of ruminant abattoir by literature search if its premises, staffs, animal handling and the equipment used are in accordance with the halalcompliance and prevention of FBD. From visiting two abattoirs and online data sources, gathering relevant information for ruminant abattoir and halal meat of Malaysia is done. Results: Based on the preliminary findings, the three major accreditations of Malaysia which are MS1500:2009 guidelines of Department of Standards Malaysia, JAKIM (Jabatan Agama Kemajuan Islam Malaysia/ Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) 2008 & 2011 Malaysian halal meat protocols, and DVS (Department of Veterinary Services of Malaysia) code of veterinary practice 2012 respectively. They are compared and analyzed to get the required information for further developing OMRA for the benefits of meat industry, health ministry, global halal market authority and all consumers

Chronic Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure and Coronary Artery disease : finding a bridge

Organophosphates (OPs) are commonly used as pesticides in agriculture. They are hydrolyzed by paraoxonase (PON1) which is a high density lipoprotein (HDL) associated enzyme known for its function to hydrolyze OPs into a relatively harmless substance. PON1 is also known to prevent atherosclerosis by hydrolyzing oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) as well as preventing the accumulation of lipid peroxides on LDL. Reports showed low PON1 activity among OPs-exposed individuals, while low PON1 activity was associated with a high risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The link between chronic OPs exposure and lipid parameters which are known risk factors of CAD has not yet been reported. This study aimed at comparing the activities of PON1 and lipid parameters (ox-LDL, TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C) between workers who are exposed to OPs and non-exposed comparative groups. A cross sectional study was carried among 53 selected pesticides sprayers from 4 farms in Kuantan who fulfilled the criteria and 50 control subjects who were age, ethnicity and income bracket-matched. Fasting serum samples were analyzed for TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C (lipid profiles), ox-LDL and PON1 activities after the hydrolysis of substrates paraoxon, phenylacetate and diazoxon. Results showed a significantly lower (p0.05) between the two groups. Our study suggested that OPs-exposed individuals might be predisposed to atherosclerosis and CAD through the decreased PON1 ability to hydrolyze ox-LDL but not through lipid profiles. A larger scale study is required to confirm our observation

Paraoxonase (PON1) activities and lipid profiles among organophosphates (OPs) pesticide exposed workers

Paraoxonase (PON1) is a high density lipoprotein (HDL) associated enzyme that is known for its function to hydrolyze organophosphate (OPs) into a relatively harmless substance and prevent atherosclerosis by inhibiting oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL). In some studies low PON1 activity was reported among individuals who are exposed to OPs, while in different studies low PON1 activity was associated with a high risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the link between OPs exposure and lipid profiles which are known risk factors of CAD has not yet been reported. The aim of our present preliminary study was to compare the activities of PON1 and lipid profiles between the workers who are exposed to OPs and the comparative non-exposed group. This cross sectional comparative study was carried out on a total of 105 subjects comprising of 53 OPs exposed group and 52 comparative non-exposed group. Fasting serum samples were analyzed for PON1 activities towards substrates paraoxon, phenylacetate and diazoxon as well as for total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C and LDL-C. The results showed a significantly lower diazoxonase activity (p0.05) between the two groups. Our study suggested that the decreased PON1 activity among OPs exposed individuals cannot be linked to the atherosclerosis and CAD through the lipid profiles. A larger scale study is required to confirm our observation

Low occurrence of bacteria on the lift buttons of a public hospital executing weekly Covid 19 decontamination

Introduction: The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) has led to serious changes in the way of handling common touch objects. Since these objects had the potential to become fomite, the Malaysian Ministry of Health had implemented sanitation and decontamination as a must routine especially for public spaces such as hospitals to prevent any chances of getting nosocomial infection. However, there was little to no publication on the effect of these implementations on common touchable surfaces in Malaysia. Objectives: This research was conducted to quantify the bacteria isolated from the interior and exterior lift buttons of a public hospital in Kuantan, Pahang that performed weekly Covid 19 cleaning and decontamination Methodology Sampling using cotton swabs was conducted thrice with two weeks intervals from March to April 2021 on the lift buttons in the main building of the hospital by purposive sampling technique (n=50). The samples were processed in the laboratory as per standard microbiological procedures Results: The average percentage of bacterial occurrence was 34.8%. Bacteria on the interior lift buttons were more abundant than on the exterior lift buttons with 440 and 120 CFU/mL, respectively. The distribution of bacteria on the lift buttons was skewed towards Gram-positive bacteria (84.1%) when compared to Gram-negative bacteria (15.9%) wherein cocci-shaped bacteria dominated with 79.6% occurrence. Conclusion: The low quantity of bacteria on the lift buttons showed that the weekly routine decontamination was effective. The decontamination method is ideal to be applied in public places to minimise the occurrence of contaminants

Glyphosate suppresses the ability of PON1 to Hydrolyse Oxidized-LDL in the exposed farm workers in Pahang, Malaysia

INTRODUCTION: Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated enzyme which is known to hydrolyse most pesticides including organophosphates (OPs) and prevent atherosclerosis by inhibiting oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Glyphosate is one of the common organophosphate pesticides used in agriculture in many developing countries including Malaysia. The aim of this study to is to assess the PON1 ability to hydrolyse oxidized LDL in glyphosate exposed farm workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional comparative study, a total of 103 subjects (53 Glyphosate-exposed and 50 non-exposed) were recruited. Fasting serum samples were analysed for PON1 activities towards substrates paraoxon, phenylacetate, and diazoxon, as well as for lipid profiles and oxidized-LDL (ox-LDL). RESULTS: The results showed lower basal paraoxonase activity [156.96 (58.87) vs 177.06 (66.78)], arylesterase activity [90.06 (17.14) vs 96.92 (23.87)] and diazoxonase activity [850.93 (206.75) vs 990.48 (248.73)] in glyphosate-exposed compared to non-exposed, however, only diazoxonase activity was statistically significant (p0.05) between the two groups. The PON1 to ox-LDL ratio which probably reflects the ability of PON1 to hydrolyse ox-LDL were also significantly lower (p<0.05) among the glyphosate-exposed group. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that the decreased PON1 activity in glyphosate-exposed individuals could predispose them to the development of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease through decreased PON1 ability to hydrolyse ox-LDL

Human resource development for future basic occupational health services in Malaysia

A guideline on Basic Occupational Health Services (BOHS) has been established jointly by ILO/WHO/ICOH in response to poor achievements of the Occupational Health Services (OHS), especially among workers in small and medium enterprises at the global level. Malaysia. The international guideline describes competent and skilled human resources as an essential strategy for BOHS implementation. This commentary will discuss the challenges faced by current occupational health personnel providing OHS in Malaysia and proposes improvements of human resource development for future BOHS in Malaysia to ensure fair and better OHS coverage for Malaysian workers

The proposed future infrastructure model for basic occupational health services in Malaysia

The objectives of occupational health services (OHS) are to create a healthy and safe working environment, prevent work-related diseases, optimise employees’ functional capacity and promote health. According to the literature, global accessibility to OHS has not shown much improvement and even worsened in certain countries. The main challenges come from the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To respond to these global challenges, the basic occupational health services (BOHS) guideline was published under the purview of the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization. The guideline describes BOHS as part of the infrastructure called the occupational safety and health system, an essential element that ensures the high service coverage and sustainability of the programme. The BOHS guideline was introduced in Malaysia by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health with a focus on SMEs, but its accessibility is low. A gap analysis was conducted between the current BOHS in Malaysia and the published international guideline. The important challenges identified that contributes to the low BOHS accessibility in Malaysia is the weakness in the BOHS infrastructure and OHS system provision. The proposed BOHS infrastructure model is meant to increase accessibility and to provide fair and equitable health services for Malaysians